Tag: Portland

Starting today, Portlanders are going to start seeing orange bikes everywhere. In a partnership with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, Nike is placing 100 new bike racks with 1,000 orange bicycles all over Portland. This new bike-sharing program, called BIKETOWN PDX, already has 1,000 people signed up for their annual membership.

This a huge marketing venture for Nike. The model has been tested and been successful in other cities. The largest bike sharing system in the US is called Citibike and is sponsored by Citi Bank. Nike is spending $10 million to sponsor the Portland program for the next 5 years.

The bikes are bright orange, reminding consumers of the bright orange boxes on the shelves of their local shoe store. All of the bikes have swooshes. 100 of the bikes are colored to look like some of Nike’s most famous shoe brands: Nike Air Max 95, Nike Air Trainer 1, and the Nike Air Safari.

How does it work?

1) First you join on your smartphone through a mobile app or on your computer through their website.

2) Choose your plan (see below)

3) They will send you a 6-digit account number and a 4-digit pin that you use to unlock the bike.

4) Then you ride around town.

5) Return to any Biketown bike rack, or you can lock it at any rack for a $2 fee.

The controversial organization, PETA (Protection for Equivalent Theoretical Animals), has managed to rally citizen support to protest and block several Pokémon Go events scheduled in Portland, Oregon, on the basis that monsters qualify as “theoretical animals” and that Seekers, in pursuit of points, status and otherwise basic irrational and illogical storytelling opportunities, will resort to irrational, illogical and virtual fantasy activities as they prey on innocent virtual creatures unable to defend themselves.

LET OUR POKEMON GO GO!

Signs of Pokémon Go monsters contained in squalid cages and fed items with virtually no substance are popping up everywhere. Worse, in a demonstration of how low seekers will fall, “monster-fights” reminiscent of the dog fights that got old basketball players almost arrested have been seen in the back alleys of one of America’s greatest cities. The conditions are perceived as horrible, with poor monsters gripping bars and crying out for their families. In a worst-case situation, a baby monster was separated from its mother before it could flee its hunters.

Other groups attempting to capitalize on the event have even started a “slave labor” camp for captured monsters, selling them on Craig’s List for virtual bucks. Enslaved monsters are expected to ensure harsh working conditions while captors and seekers seduced into this unsavory world go out in pursuit of even more monsters. It’s an awful situation as wild and carefree monsters are struck down in the middle of their natural habitat, with little time to defend themselves from the “slaying ball” that is used to swipe them away. As one concerned citizen reported, Pokémon Go monsters are even starting to show up in historically human red light districts. Republicans across the country are in an uproar as questions of equality for animals and citizens’ concern for these imaginary creatures takes priority over what they have long considered to be a more important agenda while Democrats are looking to expand universal health care programs to include Pokemom Go Monster Dads, Moms and kids alike.

GETTING EVEN

As the Pokémon Go phenomenon has exponentially accelerated in the last few days, reports of Seekers getting creamed is also increasing, to include (most recently) a group in Salem, Oregon that found themselves standing in the middle of Liberty Street in the front of the firehouse, trying to climb up the fireman’s pole in search of an evasive and illusive creature. Seems that Seekers may not be using a lot “upstairs” as they look for PokeStops and through Lures out to grab yet another poor, defenseless monster. But, the monsters are starting to get creative and gang up on Seekers.

In yet another unreported incident, four ridiculously cute monsters threw their own “lure” out to catch a few unsuspecting Seekers. Using the guise of a broken paw, one monster lay await in a green circle as the Seekers approached. Just as the swipe of the ball was about to happen, three other monsters ran out and jumped on top of the Seekers, scaring the bejeezus out of them, causing them to lose their phone and of course, their corresponding identity. (Anyone looking for a Samsung XII should call the local authorities). It’s only a matter of time before massive uprisings between man and beast lead us all to lock ourselves in our shelters and wait to see who wins.

RELEASE OUR POKEMON GO!

PETA, founded by M.N Sterious, an 84 year old member of the Portland community, is dedicated to the protection of virtual reality of any form. M.N. Sterious planned and coordinated the Portland Pokémon Go blockade using age-old wisdom combined with helpful hints from Google search engine. Demands for a release of all caged Pokémon Go monsters must be met before the blockades are removed. As in all things fantastical, the PETA group has staged a virtual hunger strike with hopes to gain attention of those who are oblivious to this ridiculous condition. It certainly grasped this author’s attention!

For more information on PETA, look no further. You won’t find anything anyway. Meanwhile, stay OFF THE STREETS, OUT OF TREES, AWAY FROM FIREHOUSES…oh yeah – all that advice assumes people are using their heads when playing this game. That’s where we went wrong!

This 3 part series will get you well on your way with real life examples and experiences using proven techniques for generating huge returns.

The Basics of Real Estate Building

I began investing in real estate at the age of 25 in Jacksonville, Florida, during the crash of the real estate market from 2006 to 2008, a losing venture! I’ve learned a lot since then. During the last 5 years my wife and I began heavily investing in real estate in the Pacific Northwest, purchasing properties in Vancouver, Washington, Hood River and Portland Oregon. We have effectively delivered a 43% return yearly on our investments on average, 4 times the national average. How? Read on to find out.

Right now the real estate market is skyrocketing nationwide, with many homes “flying off the market” in a matter of days, at well over asking price. Is this the right time to buy? This leads to the first lesson in real estate:

A. There is no “right time”, ever.

The market is always going to be volatile, it’s real estate. It is more important to find the right property, in the right neighborhood, for the right price. Stop staying “I missed it”, there is nothing to miss, keep looking; you will find the right place with enough persistence.B. Stop watching silly home flipping shows.

This not representative of a realistic situation you will find yourself in. Leave flipping to those who do it full time, it is a full time job. Doing this on your spare time, turning a property in months will be costly and not worth your time.

C.Have cash ready to invest.

I don’t care what the real estate books tell you, you need some cash begin with. This can be either out of savings, home equity line of credit (HELOC), or finding investors (friends and family is a good place to start). Down payments are 25% of the purchase price for an investment loan/property, or make it your primary resident (live in it) , and pay as little as 5% down with a conventional mortgage.

D. Build a Return on Investment (ROI) Calculator.

Build a calculator that will determine your return for each property you consider. Include maintenance, taxes, depreciation rates, and forecast for growth. Below I posted a screenshot of an example, and in Part 3: Closing the Deal and Cashing In, I will post a working spreadsheet you can use to make your real estate investments come true!

E. Don’t discount any property.

Look at EVERYTHING. I mean everything: rundown properties, homes with ghost stories, bad neighborhoods, good neighborhoods, even houses that are not for sale. What do I mean by that? If you see a home you like, find the owner, and try to buy it. They may be more open to it than you think and for a great price if you do not involve real estate agents. This also eliminates the competition. Real estate auctions, foreclosures, and short sales are also good places to start. Here is a good start on distressed properties.

F. Find a persistent agent.

Real estate agents that understand what you are looking for and are willing to visit a property an hour after it goes on the market with a flashlight at 9pm. This is especially important if you work full time. The best houses go off the market within days sometimes hours, be the first in.

First Discount Safety – Link

G. Find a good lender.

A good lender will know you and your finances personally, for every purchase. I like brokers; they are personally involved along the way and tend to close on time (which is important in this market). Establish this relationship before you look, you will need to act fast if you find that right property.

H. Find a good contractor.

Almost any investment property will need work, and the good ones will need a ton of work. Building a strong relationship with a good contractor can take time. Most good contractors are months out and talking to one before you even look will ensure projects will be completed in a timely manner.

Bottom line: Follow these essential guidelines and you are off to a good start. Relationship building is the key to success, start getting involved in the real estate community and contractor community now for long lasting profitable relationships. You will probably make some friends along the way as well.